UK MARRIAGE VISITOR VISA

Get Married or Register a Civil Partnership in the UK

If you’re planning to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK—but do not intend to live in the UK afterwards—you may need to apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa.

This visa allows non-UK nationals to enter the UK specifically to marry or form a civil partnership and then leave the UK within 6 months.

We will help you connect with a specialist immigration solicitor who can guide you through the process and ensure your application meets all the requirements—especially if you’re facing a tight timeline or a prior refusal.

Who Needs a UK Marriage Visitor Visa?

You need a Marriage Visitor Visa if:

• You’re from a country outside the UK, Ireland, or the EU
• You plan to get married or form a civil partnership in the UK
• You do not intend to live in the UK after the ceremony
• You are not applying to switch to a spouse visa from within the UK

This visa is not suitable if you plan to live with your partner in the UK after marriage—in that case, you should apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa or Spouse Visa.

What You Can and Cannot Do

You can:

• Get married or register a civil partnership at a licensed venue
• Visit the UK for up to 6 months
• Travel and explore the UK during your stay
• Attend wedding planning appointments or events related to your ceremony

You cannot:

• Work or take paid/unpaid employment
• Access public funds or benefits
• Bring dependants (they must apply separately)
• Switch to another visa while in the UK
• Live in the UK long-term

Key Requirements

To be eligible, you must show:

• You’re over 18 years old
• You’re free to marry or enter a civil partnership
• You have a genuine relationship with your partner
• You plan to leave the UK after the ceremony
• You have enough funds to support yourself during your stay
• You have proof of your wedding or civil partnership plans (e.g., booking confirmation, venue details)

Your solicitor will help make sure your application clearly meets all these criteria.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Many Marriage Visitor Visa applications are refused due to:

• Lack of clear evidence of a genuine relationship
• Failure to prove wedding or civil partnership plans
• Concerns about overstaying or intent to settle
• Insufficient financial documentation

We will connect you with a solicitor who knows how to structure your application, address risks, and build a strong case for approval.

How We Help

We understand that marriage plans can be stressful, especially when navigating UK immigration rules. We make it easier by connecting you with a qualified immigration solicitor who can:

• Confirm whether a Marriage Visitor Visa is right for your situation
• Help prepare or review your documents and application
• Draft a strong cover letter to support your case
• Address prior visa refusals or complex immigration histories
• Advise on your next steps after marriage, including switching to a Spouse Visa from abroad